Schuylkill County Students Among DeSales University Graduates

Several students from Schuylkill County were among those receiving degrees during DeSales University’s 56th Commencement ceremony held Saturday, May 17, at the PPL Center in Allentown.

Local graduates included:

• Cooper Chiplonia of Pottsville, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.
• Grace Mongrain of Pottsville, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology.
• Nicholas Perneta of Frackville, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.
• Andrea Vaupel of Auburn, who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

During the ceremony, DeSales University President Father James Greenfield, OSFS '84, Ed.D., addressed the graduating class. He reflected on the words of poet Walker Percy, reminding students not to fall into the trap of constantly wondering "What if?" but to focus on the more meaningful question: "What now?"

Quoting Mark Twain, Greenfield said, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." He encouraged the graduates to carry that sense of purpose forward into their futures.

In total, 439 students received their degrees during the ceremony, which included both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Another 140 students were recognized for having completed their degrees in recent months or who will do so in the near future.